The effects of the micro-plasma arc welding technique on the microstructure and pitting corrosion of different zones of an AISI 316L stainless steel were studied using different microscopy and electrochemical techniques. ...[+]

The effects of the micro-plasma arc welding technique on the microstructure and pitting corrosion of different zones of an AISI 316L stainless steel were studied using different microscopy and electrochemical techniques. Galvanodynamic measurements and laser scanning confocal microscope were used to evaluate the corrosion evolution in situ. Results show, in general, the worst corrosion behaviour for the heat affected zone. Furthermore, there is a relation between the effects of the micro-plasma arc welding process on the materials microstructure and their pitting corrosion resistance. The weld zone was always in the cathodic position of the possible galvanic pairs.[-]

The authors would like to express their gratitude to the MICINN for the financial support (project CTQ2009-07518), to the FPU grant given to Rita Sanchez Tovar, to FEDER, to the Generalitat Valenciana for its help in the ...[+]

The authors would like to express their gratitude to the MICINN for the financial support (project CTQ2009-07518), to the FPU grant given to Rita Sanchez Tovar, to FEDER, to the Generalitat Valenciana for its help in the LSCM acquisition (MY08/ISIRM/S/100) and to Dr. Asuncion Jaime for her translation assistance.[-]